USA visit to Eritrea, Djibouti and Ethiopia

[Old_Observer]

Mr. Yammamoto is undersecretary of State for Africa.

He was Ambassador of USA in Ethiopia around 2006.

Why not visiting Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan is mystery. With the changes in Ethiopia, America maybe back to allying Eritrea and Ethiopia against Sudan and Djibouti.

__________________________________________________________________________

Eritrea, Djibouti, Ethiopia hosts top U.S. diplomat on East Africa tour

 

Sunday April 22, 2018
By Abdur Rahman Alfa Shaban



The United States Department of State on Saturday announced that a top official on African Affairs was due to tour three East African countries between April 22 – April 26.

Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for African Affairs Ambassador Donald Y. Yamamoto will start off his tour in Eritrea, head to Djibouti and round off his activities in Ethiopia.

He arrives in Eritrea today (April 22) with the three-day working tour according to the Department of State centering on “bilateral consultations with Eritrean government officials, to meet with the diplomatic community, and to visit the Embassy’s staff based in Asmara.
 

“He will then lead the U.S. delegation to the U.S.-Djibouti Binational Forum April 24-25 in Djibouti, our annual dialogue on matters of political, economic, assistance, and security cooperation,” the statement added.

Ambassador Yamamoto’s last stop will be in Ethiopia on April 26 where he is expected to meet with Ethiopian government officials to discuss shared interests and concerns.

The Horn of Africa region has been one that has continually engaged the attention of the United States. Its relation with Ethiopia has largely been premised on anti-terrorism combat and need for democratic reforms.

Eritrea, meanwhile, continues to slam the United Nationa Security Council and the United States in particular for the refusal to lift sanctions on Asmara over their purported support for Somalia insurgent group, Al Shabaab.

Djibouti on the other hand is seen as a key security ally of the West and other Asian giants, hosting a number of military bases. The U.S. also maintains special interest in Somalia where they continue to carry out air strikes against Al-Shabaab.

 

[Holac]

That is interesting. The geopolitical game is shifting. 

[Old_Observer]

22 minutes ago, Holac said:

That is interesting. The geopolitical game is shifting. 

Looks like it. Especially with the changes happening in America. A CIA man in the state department is different than a Businessman in the state department.

[Old_Observer]

4 minutes ago, Oodweyne said:

He is also going to Djibouti, to basically read the riot-act to Mr Ghuelleh and inform him that his "dalliance" with the Chinese as of late have cause all manner of strategical heartache to Uncle Sam. And therefore its time to have honest talk of what actually the likes of Mr Ghuelleh is actually thinking that he is playing in here when it comes to his idea of thinking that he can have a double-date of a strategical kind with China on the same evening he is supporting to be stepping out with the likes of Uncle Sam.

There is nothing Somalilander would love to see than Ghelleh being read to the riot act. lol

But both of you will survive this and continue your ways. It is not going to be death of one of you and life to the other. You also will need China at some point, since its the one that has money and a plan that is economic more than military or security.

[Old_Observer]

8 minutes ago, Oodweyne said:

He is going there to Eritrea because the Neocon's heavy Trump's administration wants to bring in Eritrea from the cold (as it were). Also the Israeli who has a secret base in Eritrea have wanting to "normalize" relationship between the US and Eritrea, but Obama's administration refused that due to the poor human's right record of Eritrea. But now, With Bolton and Pompea at the sharp end of Trump's foreign policy team, the Netanyahu's government in Israel has a fact-line of connection to what US will do in the larger sense. And I expect, the US is ready now to "normalize" its relationship with Eritrea as a "gift" to Israel's strategical agenda in the Red-Sea. So that is first priority.

That is corect and been in the works and lobby houses in US for some time. There is a man by the name of Mr. Cohen who has been working on this for like forever and seems has succeeded. He wanted to do it with Amhara rather than Oromo, but that is small potatoes for him as long as their man in Eritrea survives.

[Old_Observer]

18 minutes ago, Oodweyne said:

I think Eritrea and her strong-man will come out the biggest winner (at least in strategical terns) of Trump's administration dealing in our region. And I suspect, Somalia (minus Somaliland) will be worse off, due to the open strategical alliance that is fast developing between Somalia and Turkey.

The only man who completely out manouvered, outplayed and defeated the Eritrean dictator is Mr. Ghelleh your dear neighbor, brother, but a DON none the less.

This Eritrean dictator was inside a US base in 1970 unbeknownth to the Ethiopian government brought in by diplomatic flaged vehicle from the bushes he was fighting the Ethiopians from to a meeting in the US base and returned to the bushes.

As long as he has Israel as protector even USA can be undiplomatic to him, but is untouchable. He knows this and just like in Somalia he tells his people he is enemy of America and worst yet they believe him and many even parrot him.

My heart, my money, my dream is with Ghelleh. Hopefully the Ethiopian government will be firm on this, even if I do not expect them to cry or make announcement on anything.

Ghelleh should fast like yesterday find a way to have a modus vivendi with the UAE Somaliland issue. If there are losses, just cut from further loss and move on. When one is caught in Super powers gardens, the worst thing to have is unhappy or even worst determined brother that through no fault of yours has competing interest.

 

 

[Old_Observer]

2 hours ago, Oodweyne said:

Now if I am Mr Ghuelleh, I would watch my back? Why? Well, lets see, for start it seems that his old enemy in the form of the Eritrea's strongman has just received Uncle Sam (US) diplomatic entreaties because the effort of the Israel's government tirelessly working the lines in the US's government good offices on his behalf. In particularly under this current Tramp's administration.

And secondly, the US in its own accord is not happy with the way Mr Ghuelleh has been "shilly-shallying" his ports businesses with the Chinese. And the way Djibouti have been "sending" a not so strategical subtle "come-hither-signals" to the Chinese side of the super-powers competitions in the Red-Sea, in which Uncle Sam (US) seems to think it will be at his expense in the long run.

Hence, putting these two "coincidental issues" to one another together, one can say that they have a potential to give the likes of Mr Ghuelleh an endless sleepless nights. Or failing that then perhaps a bit of an "strategical indigestion" can be in the cards for him.

In particularly at the prospect of Uncle Sam (US) siding against him and allying with his old foe in Eritrea, specifically if for some reason the Israelis pushes Tramp's administration to "fully embrace" the likes of the Eritrean's strongman at the expense of Djibouti, which could be one "distinct possibility" to say the least. 

What you think might happen is already in the works:

1. How to bring Eritrea out of the cold and use it against Sudan which the Eritrean dictator will be more than happy to serve

2. How to use Eritrea to bring peacekeepers to Eritrea Djibouti border which the Eritrean dictator is itching to do

There is already talk of some negotiation with new Ethiopian government which is "free" of those pesky Tigray that refuse to be tool of punishing Ghelleh or Al Bashir even with sack of money. Since America has to have a Tigray might choose the Eritrean Tigray who is absolute dictator and more amenable and more useful when doing thins in secret.

Mogadishu I am afraid will get short ended for no reason or fault of its own, but the alignment of the stars. Mr. Ghelleh seems also a bit disappointed at Mogadishu.

 

[Old_Observer]

3 hours ago, Ducale said:

OO's want.... first kililka to remain and only get stronger. Strong enough to push around somaliland and djibouti. 

Very true. Its close to doing that. All it will take is build the two dams and supply electricity to both Somaliland and Djibouti (will still need more), geographically is hub for Ethiopia, Djibouti, Somaliland location location location. People wise only the kilil has every tribe or clan of almost every Somali walking on planet earth which means easy communication and influence on neighbours....everything is in place to accomplish that. Now there is also ambition the driver.

3 hours ago, Ducale said:

...Puntland to also remain separate from somalia, and that can also be used against either sl or somalia. 

Puntland is a product of history and situation in Somalia. This is far stronger than any leaders wants or ambition. Puntland is to Somalia what Scotland is to Britain. Reliable Somali, but pain on the neck as the Scttish are reliable Britons empire, but pain in the neck to English. History is a strong asset or obstruction depending on situation. Puntland will not abondon some kind of autonomy regardless what happens in Mogadishu.

3 hours ago, Ducale said:

....Ethiopia to keep watch over them all, working tirelessly to bring them closer to each other by ensuring to keep them apart. 

Partly true. Ethiopia hates to have war between any entity. War invites far away powers and you loose local control. Example if Somaliland and Djibouti could not handle their competition themselves, means foreign powers will come on this or that side. Ethiopia is poor and underdeveloped country, thus will be out of that conflict and the likes of USA, France, China...will be only players. As far as I know the logic works. If there is war will be very hard to reconcile and solve problems. human life lost calls for revenge in some way and revenge calls for another next revenge...all downhill.

3 hours ago, Ducale said:

....Somaliland to remain and develope at a pace that serve ethiopia ecenomicaly and security wise. 

Its a two way street. Look how Djibouti and Ethiopia have become inseperable connected with everything. Common shared people, common shared roads, common shared electricity and water, common security and even defence. Development does that even at initial small stage.

 

BTW you made perfect summary and in a nut shell kind of speak.

[Old_Observer]

5 hours ago, Oodweyne said:

But everything else in which Mogadishu may want from Tramp's Administration will be put on a freezer kind of a limbo.

The current government may have been set up with Farmaajo for uncle Sam, Khyre for oil and gas Europeans. As galbeedi tells us the British now have total control of SFG and Mogadishu itself, but the Americans have control of where the gas and oil is. These are cat an mouse fighting (knifing each other, but smiling for the rest of us and swearing IC name for the rest of us.

America has its boundary in this order:

1. No China, No Russia Not even India if not under America

2. No EU unless under American companies

3. No Britain unless serving the likes of Saudis, UAEs..etc

Otherwise nothing moves forward.

[Che -Guevara]

4 hours ago, Ducale said:

 

 

Interesting how OO and Odweyne's analysis of the horn afrik geopolitics comes with  a dash of their own biases and political interest of their respective countty. As far as djibouti is concerned, It's understandable why Odweyne is looking forward for Geele to be severely reprimanded by uncle sam While OO would prefer the sword to land on the neck of Isaias Afwerki. 

OO's want.... first kililka to remain and only get stronger. Strong enough to push around somaliland and djibouti. 

 

....Somaliland to remain and develope at a pace that serve ethiopia ecenomicaly and security wise. 

...Puntland to also remain separate from somalia, and that can also be used against either sl or somalia. 

 

....Ethiopia to keep watch over them all, working tirelessly to bring them closer to each other by ensuring to keep them apart. 

 

 

I can't believe but I agree with Daaco.

 

Things change in an instant in that neighborhood. I wouldn't be on anything.

[Old_Observer]

6 minutes ago, Che -Guevara said:

Things change in an instant in that neighborhood. I wouldn't be on anything.

Amazingly it has been like that in this neighbourhood for a thousand years. Some are settled farmers, some are Nomads, some are just worriors and invaders of their brothers...every one of them is famous for something and at some time, they go up and down like all human beings, have something to brag about and hide the things that are not so great in the past...

Some of the most famous places have become ruins and only tell you they were great one time, places like Zeila, Axum.and some have come out of no where and become great their turn like Djibouti, Addis Ababa...

 

Agree hard to be on anything.

[Old_Observer]

Sudanese President Omar Bashir has accused the United States of trying to split his country into at least five separate independent states.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - All parties involved in the recent outbreak of fighting in the Jebel Marra region of Darfur in Sudan must immediately end hostilities, US Department of State spokesperson Heather Nauert said in a statement.

 

"We call on all sides — the GoS [Government of Sudan] forces, SLA/AW [Sudan Liberation Army-Abdul Wahid], and armed tribal groups — to immediately halt their provocative actions and violent responses," the statement said on Friday.

____________________________________________________________________________

Here we go again. The US trying to start something and Eritrea and Egypt ready to serve.

 

[Old_Observer]

3 hours ago, Oodweyne said:

Old_Observer,

The "word-in-the-street" is alleging that the new Ethiopian's Prime-Minister, Mr Abbiy Ahmed, is playing hardball with the Djibouti's Chief-Mobster by the name Mr Ghuelleh. And he seemed to have suggested to him, that, the Ethiopians state must be given a "concessionary shares" from the Djibouti ports.

Or else he will increase the tonnage of the Ethiopian's exports-and-imports that comes through in Berberra and will correspondingly decrease the same amount of export-and-imports which currently comes through Djibouti's ports.

Furthermore, the "word-in-the-street" is saying that Djibouti have had (by all account) a very bad meeting with the Yank's Ambassador who came to see them recently, since Ghuelleh, refuse to make a choice between the US and China.

And it seems, Mr Ghuelleh, started talking about how he is happy to "host" both of these two super-powers's naval armadas in his tiny country, which is absurd in the view and in-terms of the "calculation" of the Pentagon's Geo-Strategical theoreticians, who are the very folks who decides these things for Uncle Sam (US). Do you reckon there is any truth to any of these talks and what the "word-on-the-street" seems to be alleging it?

Wellcome back I hope from a vacation or being part of these scandaleous times for the Horn of Africa.

 

In one phrase: In a Pickle are Djibouti, Ethiopia, Sudan, Somalia

Somalia: Flashing red in all directions, thus Mr. Farmaajo facing too many stops look left right and move short again flashing red.

Ethiopia: Flashing yellow and in some Red

Both Somalia and Ethiopia suffering from Internal problems

Djibouti and Sudan are not just flashing red, but warned kind of last worning

In short that is the situation. Eritrea, the Amhara, Somaliland and Egypt have started bragging already. This month of May will be crucial. Everybody has enough tools to throw a monkey wrench on the other if it comes to it. Since the Americans and the architects the British always keep tools ready for any eventuality.

 

That is where we are.

 

[Duufaan]

59 minutes ago, Old_Observer said:

Djibouti and Sudan are not just flashing red, but warned kind of last worning

Gele is safe. Djibouti  is the most strategic peace of land in the horn, more than Ereteria because of it closeness of Somali. It has been safe for ethiopia  to trade for many years and without change. The road to ethiopia goes through Issa tribes in the other side of the border. Jabuuti are buying electricity and water from ethiopia, so it is more balance trade. Jabuuti does not have internal political problem and Gele is in control. China is there to support economically. He is probably open for negotiation but he has upper hand. There are no leverage to threat Jabuuti from anybody except being small country with some insecurity

Sudan has some economic problems but they have  been there before. With Qatar and Turkey support, they will be find. The local insurgency are  not the same one they were facing from south Sudan. 

Ethiopia is moving forward to unknown destination but at least not clopsing this time. But it does not  have time and resources to infer anybody else in region as the past.

I would say, it is Somalia including somaliland the one facing more problems. However with defeat of UAE influence and Farmaajo, khayre taking grip of modish, there will be few surprises. The world will not save somalia. It has to save itself

 

The horn is important but it is not the middle east. 

[Old_Observer]

14 minutes ago, Duufaan said:

I would say, it is Somalia including somaliland the one facing more problems. However with defeat of UAE influence and Farmaajo, khayre taking grip of modish, there will be few surprises. 

My friend. You have total misread of the Mogadishu situation. It is not Farmaajo or Khyre driving. That is the problem. Few acts of terrorism have disabled Farmaajo and Khyre has been given task on a napkin. Resignation forced resignation under threat of arms of the speaker does not bode well for everybody. Worst precedence set.

From here on expect Khyre or Farmaajo to be countring their days on the chair like ones before them. There was big hope and patience from everywhere for the success of this SFG, but looks aborted.